เนื้องอกเยื่อหุ้มสมอง (Meningioma) คือ เนื้องอกที่เกิดขึ้นในชั้นเยื่อหุ้มสมองและเยื่อหุ้มไขสันหลัง เป็นเนื้องอกที่พบบ่อยที่สุดในสมองที่เกิดจากเนื้อสมองเอง พบได้ทุกช่วงอายุ แต่พบได้บ่อยขึ้นในช่วงอายุ 45 ปีขึ้นไป

Understanding “Meningioma”: A Common Type of Brain Tumor!

A meningioma is a tumor that arises from the meninges—the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. It is the most frequently diagnosed primary intracranial tumor. While meningiomas can occur at any age, the incidence rises significantly in individuals aged 45 years and older.

What Are the Risk Factors for Meningioma?

Several identified risk factors may increase the likelihood of developing a meningioma, including:

• Genetic predisposition, particularly Neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2)
• Prior history of cranial ionizing radiation therapy
• Female sex (higher prevalence in females than males)
• Tobacco smoking
• Exposure to or use of female hormone therapies

What Are the Symptoms of Meningioma?

Meningiomas are typically slow-growing tumors, causing symptoms to develop gradually over time. Clinical manifestations depend on the size and anatomical location of the mass, commonly including:

• Chronic or progressive headache
• Nausea and vomiting
• Weakness in the arms or legs (hemiparesis/quadriparesis)
• Hemisensory loss (numbness on one side of the body) or facial numbness
• Visual disturbances, such as diplopia (double vision) or blurred vision
• Loss of smell (anosmia) or hearing impairment
• Dizziness, vertigo, and ataxia (gait imbalance)
• Memory loss and cognitive impairment
• Lethargy, apathy, and confusion
• Personality and behavioral changes
• Seizures

How Is Meningioma Treated?

Treatment strategies for meningioma are customized based on the patient’s overall health, histological tumor grade, lesion size, anatomical location, and intracranial extent:

• Surgical Resection: The primary and definitive treatment modality, particularly for Grade I (benign) meningiomas. Complete surgical excision generally yields excellent clinical outcomes and favorable prognosis.
• Radiation Therapy: Utilized for medically or surgically inoperable tumors, residual lesions, or atypical/anaplastic meningiomas (Grade II and III). Postoperative radiotherapy or stereotactic radiosurgery may be administered to inhibit further tumor progression and reduce the risk of recurrence.